Be safe this Diwali

Diwali is often expressed with two most essential features, the diya and fireworks. However, it is essential to take extra care while handling crackers.

Most fireworks injuries occur during this season have a direct impact on eyes causing serious injuries. A large number of ocular injuries are reported every year, mainly caused due to firecrackers. In fact, the eyes are the second most common affected area after the hands and fingers. Some of the common injuries are caused by sparklers and bombs along with ‘chakra’ crackers which also cause eye injuries.

High risk individuals
Along with individuals who handle crackers, more than 50% bystanders are at high risk of sustaining eye injuries. The other major causalities are street by-passers who are exposed to ignited firecrackers in the streets.

Mode of Injury 
The severity of ocular injury can range from mild irritation and corneal abrasions to retinal complications and open globe injury leading to potential blindness. Chemical injuries are due to the chemicals in the gunpowder mixed in the crackers. The constant smoke can cause irritability and watering of eyes. 

Fumes, emanating from firecrackers, may also cause laryngitis and other throat infections. Sparklers are dangerous because they burn at a temperature hot enough to melt gold (1,800° F).  That temperature is nearly 1,000 degrees hotter than the boiling point of water, hot enough to melt glass and cause third-degree burns to the skin. Necessary precautions need to be taken to avoid such injuries. 

Most fireworks contain gunpowder, which causes these devices to explode. Because fireworks explosions are unpredictable, injuries can occur even if the person is careful or is under supervision. Pollution levels are at peak during Diwali, with nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide levels rising considerably. 

Also, noise pollution levels cross the permitted levels. Flowerpots and bursting crackers are packed with multiple small particles which travel at high speed and cause mechanical damage to the tissues.  

People wearing contact lenses should be doubly cautious while bursting crackers. In a nutshell, the damage of the eye by a cracker depends on the velocity of the cracker or the intensity with which it hits the eye, chemical reaction in the eye and thermal burns.